Some structural considerations in moduiar education for basic nursing students

The report is concerned with some of the structural factors influencing modular schemes of nurse education. Based on interviews with students, teachers and ward staff, in addition to examination of ward staffing levels and structures, the report describes streaming of students, the possible effects of modular education on staffing and some changes introduced or proposed by four hospitals running such schemes. For the most part streaming was seen as being feasible but without any real advantages. Small drawbacks associated with streaming were, however, evident. The research suggested that many of the staffing difficulties associated with modular education were not created by the scheme of training but perhaps highlighted by it. Improvements which would both increase the effectiveness of the schemes and reduce some of these difficulties included movement towards more frequent intakes, a reduction in the length of classroom based element of the introductory course and abandonment of streaming and changes in the length/location of certain modules.